Effects of Abuse

Lisa Dunning, MFT


(303) 886-6949

Lisa Dunning, Marriage & Family Therapist
Parent / Child Relationship Specialist

Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Author Of Parenting Book
"Good Parents Bad Parenting"


Psychological Effects of Child Abuse
By Lisa Dunning, MA, MFT

Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child abuse often become child abusers themselves or can become perpetrators of violent crimes. Many inmates in our jails and prisons have been victims of child abuse. Though the psychological effects of child abuse cannot be reversed, through counseling a child can learn more appropriate coping skills in dealing with their pain and anger.
Some psychological effects of child abuse are:

Withdrawal from friendsLow self esteemTimid and unsure of themselvesAggressive/hostileAngryPoor relationships with peers and/or the opposite sexEngaging in drugs and/or alcoholPoor school performanceNo interestsNo goalsMinimize the psychological effects of child abuse with therapy
In order to help a child who is suffering from the psychological effects of child abuse therapy is a great place to start. A therapist will assist a child in dealing with the psychological effects of child abuse to hopefully break the cycle of abuse.
Eliminate the psychological effects of child abuse by seeking help

If you, or your partner, are abusing your child seek help immediately. If your partner is the abuser you should consider moving you and your child to a safe and supportive environment. If you and your partner are the abusers, to prevent further damaging psychological effects of child abuse, you might want to consider having your child stay with a family member or close friend while you get the help and support you need.


Psychological Effects Of Child Abuse Resources

Anger management classes

Parenting classes

Therapy and drug / alcohol treatment (if necessary).

Prevent The Psychological Effects Of Child AbuseIf you are a new parent who has suffered the psychological effects of child abuse as a child, you might want to seek out parenting classes. Parenting classes will enable you to learn appropriate tools and techniques to minimize the psychological effects of child abuse when parenting your child. It is also important for you to take care of yourself and know your limits. Work on building a healthy support network that you could rely on when life is overwhelming you. It is up to you to break the cycle of abuse and not allow your child to experience any of the psychological effects of child abuse. You will be thankful that you did.

Signs of Child Sexual Abuseby Lisa Dunning, MA, MFTMany families do not want to believe their child is being sexually abused even if the signs of child sexual abuse are staring them straight in the face. Unfortunately many families are in a similar situation where both parents are working full time and someone other than the biological parents are caring for their children. Under these circumstances the potential for child sexual abuse is more prevalent. Obviously under these circumstances it is tremendously important for parents to watch for the signs of child sexual abuse.

Some common signs of child sexual abuse are:

Sexually advanced for his or her age

Increase in masturbation, preoccupation with sex or promiscuous behavior

Frequent urinary track infections or irritation in the genital area

Do Not Ignore The Signs of Child Sexual AbuseMany families ignore the signs of child sexual abuse believing their child was safe because someone they knew always watched their children. Unfortunately, studies of child sexual abuse have shown that children were most often abused by people they knew. It is important that you take these signs of child sexual abuse seriously so you could stop any further abuse.

Get Professional Help if your Child Exhibits the Signs of Child Sexual AbuseIf your child is exhibiting any or all of the signs of child sexual abuse take your child to your family doctor for a medical exam. You might also want to seek counseling with a professional who has experience with child sexual abuse. Both the medical doctor and the psychological professional should be able to determine definitively whether anything sexually inappropriate has occurred.

Many children who exhibit the signs of child sexual abuse feel like they have done something wrong.Support your child and reassure them that they were the innocent victims. By taking the signs of child sexual abuse seriously and with your support and encouragement, your child will eventually emotionally heal from this abuse. Your child will also learn how much you trust and support them.




Lisa Dunning, MFT

(303) 886-6949
Lisa Dunning, Marriage & Family TherapistParent / Child Relationship Specialist

Psychological Effects of Child Abuse

Author Of Parenting Book
"Good Parents Bad Parenting"

Lisa Dunning is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Specializing in Parent/Child Relationship
issues, the author of "Good Parents Bad Parenting: How To Parent Together When Your Parenting Styles Are Worlds Apart" and the host of her own radio show, "Life Support". She provides marriage, divorce and parenting phone sessions to clientele across the United States and Canada and provides expert parenting advice to newspaper & magazine columnists. To learn more about Lisa Dunning visit her website at http://www.LisaDunningMFT.com.